Austrian education coalition criticizes removal of Global Citizenship Education

A coalition of organizations, including Südwind, Welthaus Graz, and AG Globale Verantwortung, is criticizing the 2026 draft curriculum for Austrian academic high schools (AHS). The group claims the new draft excludes the concept of Global Citizenship Education (Globales Lernen), which was present in the 2023 curriculum.

Representatives argue that removing this focus represents a political setback that will leave Austria behind in international comparisons. They are calling on Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr to implement an immediate correction by reintegrating Global Citizenship Education into the general educational objectives and the new topic of political and democratic education. The coalition emphasizes that such education is essential for fostering critical thinking and empathy in response to global crises like climate change and international conflict.